ECE 113: Children, Play and Creativity

Curriculum Contribution (25%)

Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is for each student to create a Curriculum Contribution using Loose Parts tailored to a specific age group: infants, toddlers, preschool, or JK/SK. Curriculum contributions in early childhood education are vital as they ensure the incorporation of diverse perspectives and holistic approaches, fostering a rich learning environment that respects and values each child’s unique background and experiences. Loose parts are important because they encourage creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in young children, allowing them to explore, experiment, and engage deeply with their environment. Through this assignment, students will write a paper that describes their Curriculum Contribution and explains how it promotes play and child development. Additionally, they will create a provocation and engage in an in-class gallery walk to learn from one another and share insights. Students will then create a learning story based on their gallery walk presentation. Students are encouraged to be as creative as possible in their approach to this assignment.

Course Learning Outcomes:	Humber Learning Outcomes:	Essential Employability Skills:
4.      Use current research to understand that quality, inquiry and play-based responsive and inclusive experiences rely on practices that are relevant and evidence-based; 5.      Apply play-based experiences to understand the importance of nurturing the creative process in children and adults; 6.      Apply an understanding of key components of the inquiry and play-based approach to inform the design and implementation of learning experiences for indoor, outdoor and natural environments	Mindset: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Sustainability Meta Skill: Critical Thinking  Skill in Action: Innovation, Professionalism	Communication, Critical thinking and Problem Solving, Information Management, Interpersonal

Step 1: Download the template.

Download the Curriculum Contribution Assignment Template posted on Blackboard and begin filling it out based on the following steps.

Step 2: Reflect on the age group and description.

Question #1 in the template: Based on an age group and a description* randomly assigned to you, choose one (1) of the following curriculum areas that could further support and extend the children’s learning and exploration.

• Outdoor and nature play
• Language & literacy
• Dramatic play
• Creative arts
• Music & movement
• Science & math
• Blocks & building
• Wet or dry sensory

*One of the following age groups and descriptions will be randomly assigned to you:

1. In your infant classroom, you have 3 infants aged between 10 months and 15 months. They have been exploring the play materials and environments using their senses by touching different textures, hearing sounds, and observing the movements of play materials.

2. In your infant classroom, you have 6 infants aged between 8 months and 18 months. They have been engaging in solitary play exploring cause and effect through pushing, pulling, and banging the play materials.

3. In your toddler classroom, you have 5 toddlers aged between 18 months and 23 months. With greater physical movements than infants, they have been using their senses,learning and exploring  different textures, hearing and making sounds, running, jumping, and observing the movements of play materials.

4. In your toddler classroom, you have 5 children aged between 24 months and 30 months. Their interests include mixing, dumping, building and breaking and using realistic household materials while engaging in parallel play.

5. In your preschool classroom, you have 8 preschoolers aged between 3 to 4 years. They have been engaging in associative play. Their interests include small manipulatives, how things work, things that move, stories with simple plots.

6. In your preschool classroom, you have 8 preschoolers aged between 3 and 5 years. They have been engaging in cooperative play, using their ideas, plans, and imaginations to construct structures, experiment, and build.

7. In your Junior Kindergarten classroom, you have 12 children aged 6 years old. They are interested in constructing with various materials, engaging in imaginative play, and exploring manipulatives.

8. In your Senior Kindergarten classroom, you have 12 children aged 6 years old. Their interests include exploring science concepts, solving puzzles, and engaging in storytelling.

9. In your before-after school program, you have 16 children aged 6 to 8 years old. They are currently involved in cooperative play, enjoying group games, and collaborating on projects. Their interests include exploring nature and engaging in imaginative play scenarios.

 

Step 3: Plan for a provocation as a response.

Question #2 in the template: Based on your reflection on the age group, description, and chosen curriculum area, plan a provocation that could further expand and extend the children’s learning experiences. In your provocation, include the following:

• A play material that is created by you (*no resources from the Carol Reid Resource Centre can be used for this part of the assignment). You are to use a box (any size) or parts of a box (any size) as your starting point. For example, a ramp can be created using the lid of a carboard box, paper towel tubes, etc. A scale can be made with a clothes hanger, a piece of yarn, and paper cups – a box could be used to separate all the additional loose parts you are using to weigh on the scale. Be creative using recycled and purposeful materials you can find in your environment and and remember that a cardboard box or parts of a cardboard box MUST be used! To promote creativity and imagination among children, no sensory bottles can be used for this assessment.
• In addition to your play material, at least three (3) different types of loose parts (both natural and synthetic) that could be used with the play material you created. Organize each type of loose parts in a basket, container, etc.

Start building and collecting all the materials needed for your provocation and bring them to class on date indicated on critical path.

IMPORTANT: No food (rice, pasta, beans, etc.) should be used as loose parts. Consider the safety of loose parts for the age group that is randomly assigned to you.

Step 4: Share your provocation during our class indicated on the critical path.

Questions #3, #4 & # 6 in the template: Bring all the materials needed for your provocation to our class as indicated on the critical path, and set it up. Take a picture of your provocation. Observe how others engage with it by taking pictures of them with their permission (their faces do not need to be included) and engage with others’ provocations as well.

Step 5: Linking it to learning.

Question #5 in the template: How did learning happen in class based on your provocation? Find a relevant direct quote (exact words from the document, written in quotation marks, along with a page number) for each of the following Foundations for Learning from “How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years” pages between 23 and 45.

Step 6: Submit the template.

Submit your completed template to the Blackboard submission dropbox.

ECE 113 Children, Play and Creativity

 Evaluation/Feedback:  Curriculum Contribution (25%)

General Definition	Demonstrated	Developing	Emerging
	Learners have demonstrated the ability to analyze all relevant course materials while effectively conveying their thoughts and reflections on all the required questions.	Learners have analyzed some of the course materials while effectively conveying their thoughts and reflections on some of the questions.	Learners have begun the process of conveying their thoughts and reflections on some of the questions.
Template #1:  Emergent Cycle	The learner clearly identified their assigned description, what they think the children’s interests are in the description, and how they can respond to those interests with their chosen curriculum area and a play idea.	The learner identified their assigned description, what they think the children’s interests are in the description, and how they can respond to those interests with their chosen curriculum area and a play idea. The play idea and curriculum area need to be appropriately connected to the children’s interests.	While the learner initiated answering the questions, it is recommended to enhance clarity by making a clear and appropriate connection to the description assigned to them.
	3 points	1-2 points	0 point
Template #2: Plan	The learner shared a clear plan for their provocation, including play materials (including a cardboard box or parts of a cardboard box to create, three (3) types of loose parts with organizing materials, a plan for setup, and explanations regarding the safety and appropriateness of materials, accompanied by a drawing or picture.	The learner shared a plan for their provocation, including play materials to create (including cardboard box or parts of a cardboard box), three types of loose parts with organizing materials, a plan for setup, and explanations regarding the safety and appropriateness of materials. A drawing or picture is missing, or clarification could enhance understanding.	A plan is missing.
	3 points	1-2 points	0 point
Template #3: Photo of Provocation	A photo of the provocation during the assigned class clearly included all of the following: ·         One (1) play material that the learner created ·         At least three (3) types of organized loose parts (both natural and synthetic) ·         Two (2) other tools that can support the children’s learning.	A photo of the provocation during the assigned class clearly included 2-3 of the following: ·         One (1) play material that the learner created ·         At least three (3) types of organized loose parts (both natural and synthetic) ·         Two (2) other tools that can support the children’s learning.	A photo of the provocation during Week 13 class clearly included 1-2 of the following: ·         One (1) play material that the learner created ·         At least three (3) types of organized loose parts (both natural and synthetic) ·         Two (2) other tools that can support the children’s learning.
	3 points	1-2.5 points	0-0.5 points
Template #3: Prompts	Clear and appropriate written information is shared for all the prompts.	Clear and appropriate written information is shared for three (3) to four (4) of the prompts.	Clear and appropriate written information is shared for one (1) to two (2) of the prompts.
	3 points	1-2.5 points	0-0.5 points
Template #3: Provocation – Play Material	One play material was clearly created by the learner. It is safe, durable, appropriate, and relevant to further support the children’s exploration and learning and the chosen curriculum area.	One play material was created by the learner. It is safe, durable, appropriate, and relevant to further support the children’s exploration and learning or the chosen curriculum area.	One play material was included, but it needs to be clearly made by the learner or it is missing.
	10 points	1-9 points	0 point
Template #3: Provocation – Loose Parts	At least three (3) different types of loose parts, both natural and synthetic, are appropriately included and organized to further support the children’s exploration and learning and the chosen curriculum area. A cardboard box or parts of a cardboard box was used.	At least one (1) to two (2) different types of loose parts, both natural and synthetic, are appropriately included and organized to further support the children’s exploration and learning and the chosen curriculum area. A cardboard box or parts of a cardboard box was used.	Loose parts are included, but they need to be appropriately included and organized to further support the children’s exploration and learning and the chosen curriculum area. A cardboard box or parts of a cardboard box was not used.
	7 points	3-6 points	0-2.5 points
Template #4: Foundations for Learning	The learner included a relevant direct quote for each Foundation for Learning and concisely explained how it is related to their observations.	The learner included a relevant direct quote for 2-3 Foundations for Learning with appropriate and clear APA citations and reference and concisely explained how they are related to their observations.	The learner included a relevant direct quote for 1-2 Foundations for Learning and explained how they are related to their observations.
	8 points	4-7 points	0-3 points
Template #6: Engagement	The learner provided 1 photo of them engaging in other classmates’ loose parts play experiences and 1 photo of them engaging with their own provocation with other students during the assigned class with a caption for the photo.	The learner only provided 1 photo of interactions with provocations during class time with a caption.	No photos are provided.
	2 points	1 point	0 point
APA, Grammar and Spelling	The submission includes APA citations and references according to the APA guide, and no spelling or grammar errors.	The submission includes some APA citations and references according to the APA guide, and a few spelling or grammar errors.	The submission needs to include APA citations and references according to the APA guide, while ensuring there are no spelling or grammar errors.
	2 points	1 point	0 point
Total ___________/41

 

Planning Sheet: Curriculum Contribution

Scenarios:

1. In your infant classroom, you have 3 infants aged between 10 months and 15 months. They have been exploring the play materials and environments using their senses by touching different textures, hearing sounds, and observing the movements of play materials.

2. In your infant classroom, you have 6 infants aged between 8 months and 18 months. They have been engaging in solitary play exploring cause and effect through pushing, pulling, and banging the play materials.

3. In your toddler classroom, you have 5 toddlers aged between 18 months and 23 months. With greater physical movements than infants, they have been using their senses, learning and exploring  different textures, hearing and making sounds, running, jumping, and observing the movements of play materials.

4. In your toddler classroom, you have 5 children aged between 24 months and 30 months. Their interests include mixing, dumping, building and breaking and using realistic household materials while engaging in parallel play.

5. In your preschool classroom, you have 8 preschoolers aged between 3 to 4 years. They have been engaging in associative play. Their interests include small manipulatives, how things work, things that move, stories with simple plots.

6. In your preschool classroom, you have 8 preschoolers aged between 3 and 5 years. They have been engaging in cooperative play, using their ideas, plans, and imaginations to construct structures, experiment, and build.

7. In your Junior Kindergarten classroom, you have 12 children aged 6 years old. They are interested in constructing with various materials, engaging in imaginative play, and exploring manipulatives.

8. In your Senior Kindergarten classroom, you have 12 children aged 6 years old. Their interests include exploring science concepts, solving puzzles, and engaging in storytelling.

9. In your before-after school program, you have 16 children aged 6 to 8 years old. They are currently involved in cooperative play, enjoying group games, and collaborating on projects. Their interests include exploring nature and engaging in imaginative play scenarios.

 

1. Start your Response: Describe, reflect, and respond.

Description (copy and paste assigned scenario from top)
Reflect (what do you think the children might be interested in further exploring?)
Respond (what kind of play experience can you plan and facilitate and in which curriculum area?)

 

2. Share a plan for your provocation.

• Describe which play material you are creating, and how.
• What three (3) types of loose parts do you plan to collect? You are reminded that you are to use a box (any size) or parts of a cardboard box (any size) as your base or part of your provocation (what you are creating)
• How do you plan to organize each type of loose part? (these are any additional loose parts that you may be bringing as part of your experience or activity)
• How do you plan to set up your provocation?
• What do you need to consider ensuring the materials are appropriate and safe for the children in your assigned classroom?

Describe which play material you are creating and how?
What three (3) types of loose parts do you plan to collect? 3 is minimum, you can use more ·         You are reminded that you are to use a box (any size) or parts of a cardboard box (any size as your base) How do you plan to organize additional loose parts (if required)? ·         (these are any additional loose parts that you may be bringing as part of your experience or activity)
How do you plan to set up your provocation?
What do you need to consider ensuring materials are appropriate and safe for the children in the assigned classroom?

 

3. Share a plan for your provocation through a drawing or a picture.

 

No. of Pages: 6